Sherlock Holmes, Advice Before Reading

[scloyd]

I have never read any Sherlock Holmes. This thread just inspired me to "jump in" and start reading some Arthur Conan Doyle.
The Official Site of The Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Literary Estate. http://www.arthurconandoyle.com/Bibliography1.html#shfiction states that his first published work was A Study in Scarlet published in 1887 in “Beeton’s Christmas Annual” and introduces Holmes and Watson as they meet for the first time. That is where I'm going to start. I just ordered a copy and I look forward to it.
Thanks Neal for starting this thread and thanks everyone for their input.

 

[cortezattic]

The sharp, hollow clip-clop of a horse-drawn hansom

penetrates a shroud of fog set aglow by the gaslights

lining a damp cobblestone street in the heart of London.

Time to light your pipe and settle in for a good read. ::

 

[blendtobac]

His tobacco was described as a strong, black shag.
Russ

 

[mso489]

Doyle made his hugely successful career speaking directly to the reader without any preface other than public acclaim. HIs appeal extended throughout class and nationality, so much so that once he killed off his hero, public unrest impelled him to write Sherlock back to life. He hardly needs any set-up. It's interesting to read all the background and later commentary, but it is unnecessary to the riveting stories. I'm not sure who I would compare him to today, perhaps Stephen King who appealed first to a growing eventually vast readership before the literary folks finally came around to seeing his power in the word ... and on screen and etc. etc. A great story teller is unstoppable.

 

[crashthegrey]

Read and enjoy. Then read again. That is what these stories are for. He smoked a clay so loved that it was black from use and oily, but having tried this, not the best reading pipe. Unfortunately, yes, the black shag tobacco was what Holmes may have smoked, and McClelland made a 221-B series of tobaccos, with a black shag Virginia as Holmes' tobacco. It was a great companion to the stories, which is no more. I really wish I had bought a lot more of that tobacco. I had a small bent pipe dedicated to the blend that I often smoked whilst reading.

 

[davek]

In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set aquiline features.
- (The Man With the Twisted Lip)
“My practice has extended recently to the Continent,” said Holmes, after a while, filling up his old brier-root pipe (sic). “I was consulted last week by Francois Le Villard, who, as you probably know, has come rather to the front lately in the French detective service."
- (The Sign of Four)

Through the haze I had a vague vision of Holmes in his dressing-gown coiled up in an armchair with his black clay pipe between his lips.
- (The Hound of the Baskervilles)
He curled himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird.
- (The Red-Headed League)
You have erred, perhaps,” he (Holmes) observed, taking up a glowing cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a disputatious rather than a meditative mood...

 

[nitemair13]

Oh how I envy you, to experience Sherlock Holmes stories for the first time again. Such magic that was. They inspired me to write, and I find myself reading them again and again when writers block takes hold.

 

[jpmcwjr]

His tobacco was described as a strong, black shag.

I had some like that in college. Ah, good times!!

 

[blendtobac]

One thing about reading the Holmes stories is to just read, enjoy, and not overthink. Doyle was notoriously sloppy about continuity which annoys some people. I just enjoy the stories and avoid getting caught up in the minutiae.
Russ

 

[bnichols23]

Thanks, Scott, correction noted *&* appreciated. Seriously. There are a number of things I hate more than being wrong, & being guilty of passing out bad poop is definitely one of them. Thanks for fixing it!

 

[scloyd]

bnicols...My comment wasn't meant to correct you. I am so anal sometimes that I want to read the first Holmes and continue reading in order. That's the plan anyway...we shall see.

 

[bnichols23]

Hey, don't worry. I knew it wasn't personal, either intended or perceived. I was wrong & I always consider it a good day when I learn something.

 

[mikefu]

I’m actually reading “Moriarty” by Anthony Horowitz right now. It, along with “The House of Silk” are new Holmes novels, sanctioned by ACD’s estate. I was pretty suspicious when I heard about them, but my worries were unfounded, and I recommend them highly. Obviously after you’ve read all the originals first. :wink:

 

[aldecaker]

Try to get ahold of a copy of "The Italian Secretary". It is also sanctioned by the ACD estate, and written by Caleb Carr, who wrote "The Alienist". Good stuff.

 

[mikefu]

Nice. Will get a copy. Thanks aldecaker

 

[npod]

I am having a blast reading Sherlock Holmes! This has been a great summer project and a wonderful way to relax. I had the hardcover book on my shelf for 27 years and never read a single story until now. I’m very glad I kept the book. I also have a Kindle version that is great to read on-the-go. Thanks again to all for the advise. I agree, jumping right in is the best way to approach these wonderful stories.

 

[seacaptain]

I've been reading Sherlock Holmes for 30+ years. If I could only have 5 books in my library, this would be one of them.
I don't think most people realize what an innovative literary character Sherlock Holmes was. All the other detective characters that followed were derivative.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Nice illustrations, npod. Do you happen to have an oily clay and fireplace tongs handy?

 

[kcghost]

You should try ihearofsherlockeverywhere.com with Scott Mnnte and Burt Wolder. Of particular interest there is the podcasts they have every two weeks titled I Hear of Sherlock which is about an hour plus long and comes out the 15th and 30th of the month and Trifles which comes out weekly om Thursday and is 20 minutes.

 

[davek]

When a House is a Holmes.

http://house.wikia.com/wiki/Gregory_House_and_Sherlock_Holmes_connections